Abstract: An air-breathing, propulsion-assisted projectile designed to be rocket or gun launched and capable of accelerating to hypersonic velocities includes a body having an encompassing cowl, an air compression section, an engine assembly located adjacent the air compression section, and a nozzle section located adjacent the engine assembly. The engine assembly includes apparatus for fuel storage and delivery to a combustion region. The rear end portion of the cowl is configured to direct the exiting combusted air-and-fuel mixture over the nozzle section of the body.

Abstract: A novel method is disclosed for removing or eliminating anisotropic material properties typically found in conventionally rolled or otherwise processed aluminum-lithium alloy products obtained from conventional aluminum fabrication mills. The method comprises imparting a predetermined amount of strain to the conventionally rolled alloy sheet whereby the alloy experiences dynamic recrystallization. Through this process, the mill-imposed crystallographic texturing, which initially sets up the undesired anisotropic characteristics, is eliminated. A preferred technique for imparting strain to the sheet stock is superplastic forming.

Abstract: A staring sensor apparatus which includes an optics assembly for providing a panoramic field of view in which the field of view in one direction is considerably larger than the field of view in the direction perpendicular thereto. A two-dimensional focal plane assembly (FPA) collects and converts an incoming optical signal from the optics assembly to an electrical wave form which depicts the energy falling on each pixel of the FPA in a discrete unit of time. The resulting pixel outputs thus represent the energy emitted from specific calibratable around the optics assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for the comminution of passivating layers on particles to facilitate particle digestion. A vessel comprises a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion has an inner surface with an increasing cross sectional area in the upward direction. The upper portion is in fluid communication with the lower portion. The upper portion has an inner surface with a substantially constant cross sectional area. A focused ultrasonic source is positioned so as to sonicate material in the lower portion. At least one fluid inlet is so arranged and constructed relative to the lower portion to introduce fluid into a lower section of the lower portion in a manner so as to cause helical, upward circulation of any particles in the lower portion. A flow re-direction mechanism is positioned in the upper portion so as to stop the helical, upward circulation of the particles and to convert the circulation to an upward, substantially non-circular flow.

Abstract: A majority voted two-fault tolerant power switch for delivering power from a system to an intended load. The power switch comprises a voter, two fault tolerant power switching apparatus, and testing apparatus. The voter comprises a command interface for receiving voter input commands from the system and, two fault tolerant voting logic for selecting a voter output as determined from a majority of the voter input commands. The two fault tolerant power switching apparatus receives power input from the system. The power switching means is controlled by the voter output. An output from the power switching apparatus is connected to the intended load. The testing apparatus receives test signals from the system. It provides test status outputs to the system of the voter and the power switching apparatus.

Abstract: A gyroscope includes one or more drive cylinders operatively attached to a pickoff member, which can be in the form of a disk or cylinder. Where the pickoff member is cylindrical, the gyroscope is configured as three axially-aligned cylindrical members attached end to end, the outer two functioning as drive cylinders and the inner one functioning as a pickoff cylinder. The drive cylinders have a single electrode on the outside diameter and a single electrode on the inside diameter. The pickoff cylinder has a single electrode on the outside diameter and a plurality of electrodes on the inside diameter. In the preferred embodiment, the three cylindrical members are integrally formed with one another from piezoelectric material that is polarized radially, and each drive cylinder is attached to the pickoff cylinder by a plurality of connecting members or posts located at the separations between the pickoff electrodes. The posts are preferably staggered positionally as between the two drive cylinders.

Abstract: A tracking filter has a tunable filter responsive to an input signal for producing a filtered output signal, a Hilbert transformer for producing an in-phase reference signal and a quadrature-phase reference signal from the filtered output signal, and a discriminator responsive to the input signal and the in-phase and quadrature-phase reference signals for producing a passband center frequency control signal and a passband width control signal for controlling the passband center frequency and the passband width of the tunable filter. The frequency discriminator performs complex demodulation of the input signal with the in-phase reference signals to produce respective in-phase and quadrature-phase baseband signals which are low-pass filtered. The quadrature-phase baseband signal is divided by the in-phase baseband signal. The quotient is integrated to produce the passband center frequency control signal.

Abstract: A dual in-line package 12 for an integrated circuit 10 has pins 14 which engage the holes of a complementary socket 16, having two rows 16a and 16b. A portion of one row 16b is omitted, allowing the holes 22 of a cable connector 24 to engage the corresponding pins 20 of the package 12.

Abstract: A system for mechanically stabilizing a bed of particulate media which undergoes changes in volume during operation. A tubular column is provided which is closed and ported at a first end and open at a second end. A piston assembly is supported in the column for containing a bed of particulate media. The piston assembly comprises a piston having at least one opening for conveying a fluid through the piston. A fluid connection is attached to the piston in fluid communication with the opening. The fluid connection may move relative to the tubular column. A resilient seal is arranged about the piston to provide sealing engagement of the piston and the tubular column and to provide proper alignment therebetween. Porous barrier elements are positioned in the column so as to prevent the undesired escape of particulate media through the tubular column port and through the piston opening.

Abstract: The LOW POWER CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR shown here reduces power consumption of a Pierce oscillator which has an inverter preferably made of an NFET N0 and a PFET P0 in series. A load, preferably an NFET N1 with its gate wired to its source, is placed in parallel with a switch, preferably a PFET P1, between P0 and Vcc. A clamp, preferably a PFET P2 with its gate wired to its source, is placed in parallel with a switch, preferably an NFET N2, between N0 and ground. The switches are enabled during power-up, thereby providing quick turn-on of the oscillator. They are then disabled, thereby reducing the voltage across the crystal XTAL and consequently reducing the power consumed.

Abstract: A drive circuit provides approximately zero phase shift across the terminals of a resonator, and provides a constant excitation of the resonator, while cancelling variation due to the shunt capacitance. For complex demodulation of an angular rate signal from a vibrating quartz angular rate sensor, the drive circuit also provides an in-phase reference signal and a quadrature-phase reference signal. Preferably, the drive circuit includes an adjustable phase shifter connected in a feedback loop including the resonator for adjusting a phase shift of a periodic signal circulating in the feedback loop, and the adjustable phase shifter includes a Hilbert transformer for producing an in-phase signal and a quadrature-phase signal, and a combiner circuit connected to the Hilbert transformer for combining a selected amount of the quadrature signal with the in-phase signal to produce a result shifted by a selected amount of phase.

Abstract: A gas gun-launched, propulsion-assisted scramjet projectile adapted to be fired from a gun, preferably at velocities greater than Mach 5, includes a body with an external compression section, an internal compression section, a combustion section, a nozzle section, and means for channeling ambient fluid to an engine in one of the sections of the body, the channeling means and the body cooperating with the engine to produce thrust greater than drag when the projectile travels at velocities greater than Mach 5. The projectile further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced stabilization fins located at the nozzle region of the body and a sabot assembly releasably secured to the rear portion of the body, where the sabot assembly includes a plurality of elements joined together about the body rear portion to form a housing for protecting the body rear portion from explosive gases in the barrel of the gun.

Abstract: A fastening system for securing modular panels to an underlying support structure. The fastening system includes a number of pad members, preferably made of foamed material, secured to the underside of each panel, and a saw-like apparatus carried by the pad members for severing the pad members from the vehicle structure. One side of each of the pad members is secured to the panel underside. The other side of each pad member is secured to an appropriate location on the vehicle structure in such a manner that the outer surface of the panel, when the panel is properly secured on the vehicle body, lies flush with the outer surface of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A millimeter wave radar is placed on an aircraft and several radar targets are placed near a runway. The targets are discrete objects, each having a relatively localized radar cross section, a unique signature or a unique range bin, and a position which is accurately known. Targets should be spread over the length of the runway. Radar corner reflectors and active or passive repeaters are preferred. The locations of the radar targets with respect to the runway can be transmitted to the aircraft, or they can be stored on board. On board memory requirements can be reduced by requiring all airports to select one of only a few standard target placement patterns, or even only one. Targets are inexpensive, as are radars whose only precision requirement is in range, and not in azimuth or elevation angles. Range to at least three targets in the radar's field of view is all that is required for an on-board computer to determine the aircraft's location.

Abstract: A bi-directional spatial power combiner grid amplifier has an array of parasitic elements between the lens and the amplifier. The elements have different impedances to radiation of a first polarization (incident radiation) and of a second polarization which is orthogonal to the first (amplified radiation), thereby providing impedance matching to both the input and the output of the grid amplifier. The elements preferably are separated slots or dipoles (some in each direction of polarization), crossed slots or dipoles, or micropatches.

Abstract: An opto-coupling device lies between an analog input circuit, such as a telephone line, and a processing apparatus, such as a modem. The device has a high impedance circuit; this is, its impedance is high with respect to the input impedance of the analog input circuit. This high impedance circuit has a voltage/current conversion circuit. The variations of the current flowing through the conversion circuit are directly induced by the variations in the voltage of the analog input signal. The high impedance circuit is in series with a constant current source, and is connected to the analog input circuit. The inputs of the opto-coupling device are in parallel with the voltage/current conversion circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining useful consciousness and reducing the risk of injury for a subject exposed to high levels of acceleration with substantial components in the +G.sub.Z or -G.sub.Z direction while in a vehicle. It comprises a buoyancy force suit for supporting the subject with a buoyancy force, the force suit including at least two layers of flexible material, each layer being relatively impermeable to a substantially incompressible fluid having a specific gravity approximating blood being locatable in a space between the layers. A pressure helmet supports the subject's head with a gas pressure force. A Pressure Transfer System (PTS) provides pressure transfer and equalization between the suit and the pressure helmet. The PTS comprises a fluid reservoir segment and a gas reservoir segment. The fluid segment is in fluid communication with the space between the layers of the buoyancy force suit for maintaining a substantially constant fluid level within the suit at all times.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating chemical species of a mixture. A partially liquefied mixture having a mass fraction of less than 30% liquid is provided. This mixture is introduced in a tangential direction relative to and adjacent an inner surface of an elongated enclosure. The enclosure has a first end, an opposite second end, and a longitudinal axis. The inner surface has a substantially circular cross-section. The introduction of the mixture is at a sufficient velocity to form a vortex region in the enclosure. The vortex region contains at least two phases which interact. A first of the phases is a gas comprising a relative volatile chemical species, and the second of the phases is a relatively less volatile chemical species. The relatively volatile first gas phase exits from the first end of the enclosure and the relatively less volatile second phase exits from the second end of the enclosure. The present invention provides separation in an inexpensive, lightweight, low maintenance environment.

Abstract: A structural armor component includes opposing face sheets and a multi-cell core having abrasive materials disposed within the cells of the core. The face sheets and the core are fabricated from a tough titanium alloy. The core is preferably of honeycomb or truss-core configuration, and the abrasive materials are provided as a loose, particulate material, a sintered powder, or a particulate or powder embedded in polymer matrix. The "outer" face sheet slows travel of a projectile, while the abrasive materials within the core act to erode and ultimately cause disintegration of the projectile(s) before the latter can penetrate the opposite "inner" face sheet.

Abstract: The BRANCH DECISION ENCODING SCHEME shown herein overcomes the limitations of a dedicated debug port on a single chip computer processor. A dedicated debug port resolves many of the problems associated with an add-on logic analyzer, except for its limitation of an eight bit data interface. The 8 bit port is required as a trade-off between the device I/O requirements and development tools. During real time program development, it is virtually impossible to monitor the 24 bit program counter through a port only a third as wide. The present invention solves this problem by taking advantage of the sequential characteristics of application programs. There is a discontinuity in the program counter in only a limited number of situations: branches, jumps, subroutine calls and returns from subroutines, exceptions and returns from exceptions, traps and return from traps, and loopbacks to the tops of loops.